Signaling system



A. A. CLOKEY SIGNALING SYSTEM Filed June 18. 1920 Oct. 13 1925. 155mmFl/4 Flq'l 6 mam-4 ,5 A w T t 46.

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L Emace/K lnvenfor:

All/lion C/okey y y W Patented ca. 13,. 1925.

UNITED ST TES PATENT OFFICE.

ALLISON a cream, or nu'rnnnronn, new JERSEY, AssIe-non-ro 'wnsrnnn nano-TRIC COMPANY, YORK.

I Application filed June 18, 1920. Serial No. 889,842.

To all whom it my concern: 1

Be it known that I, ALLISON A. CLOKEY,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Rutherford, in the-county ofBergen, State 5 of New Jersey, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Signaling Systems, of which thefollowing is a full,clear, concise, and. exact description.

This invention relates tosignaling systems and apparatus andmoreparticularly to a new .formcf relay adapted for use as a transmittingrelay for submarine cable signaling and the like.

' The principal object of the invention is to provide means for rapidlyand efficiently transmitting signals to a" line and more specifically toprovide an improved relay arrangement possessing operating features ofthe well known mechanical types of relay now used together with certainadditional characteristic advantages.

In certain types of telegraph systems, especially submarine cablesystems, it is necessary to employ a pole changing relay intermediatethe transmitting a paratus and the line or cable. In some 0 the systemsthis pole changing. relay is designed to effect the closure of a contactandmaintain such cont-act closed for a considerable length of time. Suchbeing true it is-necessary in order to open this contact to transmit animpulse of a polarity opposite to the impulse which previously operatedtherelayv for closing such contact. The chattering occurring upon theclosure of the contacts of all types of relays heretofore employed isobjectionable for reasons --well known to those versed in the art. Theefiectiof this chatter combined with the mechanical limitations of therelay is to'reduce materially the speed at which-signals ,may betransmitted. For ordinary slow speed signaling this feature is notseriously ob-.

jectionable because the time occupied by chattering of the contactsrepresents but a small percentage of thetotal signal interval.

However as the speed of signaling is increased, it becomes a veryimportant factor and is detrimental to the rapid transmission of wellformed signals. The present invention is designed to obviate thedifficulties experienced due .to the operation of metallic contacts.

In attaining the above object the invenmconronarnn, on NEW YORK, N. Y'.,a maronArIoNQF-nnw SIGNALING sirs'rnu.

tion providesa transmitting relay arraiige ment foruse in connectionwith telegraph systems, which impose no limitations on the preferredform of the invention this elec-. trostatic means is a condenser and isdesigned tobe charged in accordance with the actuation of suitabletransmitting apparatus which connects thereto a source of signalingcurrent. When the condenserpossesses a charge a potential willbe ap liedto the grid electrode of the electric discharge device which is ofsufiicient value to current to flow in the plate circuit, t ereb'y ermitapplying a'definite transmitting potential to the line or cable. Sincethe input circuit of the discharge device is of an extremelyhigh'resistance, the condenser will discharge very slowly, therebymaintaining a flow of current in the line as long as the condenserretains a charge.

A better understanding of the invention" may be had from the followingdetailed description, when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, wherein Fig. 1 shows a simplified arrangementemploying acondenser in the input circuit of an electric dischargedevice as a relay for effectively transmitting telegraph signals; Fig. 2shows an alternative arrangement for transmitting positive and negativeimpulses, such as are commonly used in cable telegraphy; while Fig. 3shows a more symmetrical circuit arrangement using two electricdischarge devices in coniunction with a distributor and a tapetransmitter for transmitting signals of positive and negative polarityover a cable connected thereto.

Referring now to the drawing, and especially to Fig. 1, there is shown aline 5-5 extending from a distant station (not shown) and terminatin asshown in this figure, in theoutput circuit of an electric dischargedevice or vacuum tube 7, said tained by the condenser 12, a current willtween the terminals of suc trode 11, the heated filament 8, thecondenser 12, and the battery 13. Associated with the condenser 12 is aset of transmitting keys 14 and 15, which control the application of asource of battery with the terminals of the condenser. There is alsoprovided in conjunction with'the condenser 12., a third key 16, whichserves to short-circuit the condenser 12, thereby discharging the sameand reducing the line current to zero; The battery 13 is placed in thegrid circuit to hold the grid electrode 11 negative with respect to thefilament. Thus when no charge is reflow through the resistance 10 and adifference of potential will existbetween the terminals of thisresistance. However, in order to prevent current from normally flowingin the line 5-5, a battery 17 is laced in the output circuit. Thisbattery 1; adjusted so as to be equal and opposite in olarity to thedifierence of potent1al 'existmg between the terminals of the resistance10. This thereby reduces the normal current in the circuit '5, 5 tozero. A

In the transmission of signals, keys 14 and 15 are operated dependingupon the character of the signal desired to be transmitted. If key 14 isdepressed for a short time only, the condenser 12 becomes positivelycharged, thereby making the grid electrode 11 more positive with respectto the heated filament 8 for efl'ecting the transmission of a signalrepresenting a dot. This causes an increase in the current flowingthrough the resistance 10'and a cons uent otentia beresistance. Whensuch a condition exists, this difference of potential is greater thanthe potential of increase in the *difierence of the battery 17. Currentis thereby caused to flow in the output circuit in a direction oppositeto the battery 17, and in turn over the line 5. 'Since the resistance ofthe input circuit of the tube 7, with all of the keys open, is of a veryigh value, the condenser 12 will discharge very slowly, and during thetime a charge is retained thereby, current in the output circuitcontinues to flow. Thusit is seen that the provision of a condenser inthe input circuit of an electric dischar e device arranged to transmittelegraph signals, accomplishesthe same result as the mechanical ty is,a flow of current is maintained to t e line of locking rela ;,that

fora considerable length of time after the transmitting key has beenreleased. The provision of such an arrangement, however, at the sametime ermits the speed of sig naling to be great y increased as p a nedabove.

When it is desired to transmit a space signal, key 16 is depressed. Aspreviously brought out the depression of this key shortcircuits the.condenser 12, thereby causing the same to become completely discharged.Upon the discharge of the condenser 12, the current in the circuit 5, 5is at once reduced to zero. This in effect produces the same result asif the line were grounded through a resistance -f0l-lowing each signalimpulse.

If it is desired to transmit a signal 'representing a dash, key 15 wouldbe depressed. The depression of this key 15 connects the negativeterminal of'the battery with the condenser 12, which thereu 11 becomesnegatively charged. The con enser 12, being charged negatively, makesthe grid electrode 11 more negative with respect to the heated ament 8,and thereby causes a decrease'in the current flowing through theresistance 10, this in turn causes a drop in the difl'e'rence ofpotential normally existing between .the terminals of this resistance.The potential of the battery 17 is now greater than the difierence ofpotential existing between the terminals of the resistance 10, and inconsequence thereof a current flows in the line 5 in the direction ofthe battery 17.

In the arrangement shown in 'Fig. 2, the line or cable 18 is normallygrounded through a resistance 19. This thereby makes it possible totransmit signals composed of positive and negative impulseaas uppercontact. ,Al' circuit is thus completed including the condenser 12,which is thereupon charged sitively due to the'cohnection of thepositive terminal of the battery with the condenser 12. The gridelectrode 11 of the tube 7 is thereby charged more positive with respectto the heated filament 8 as in the previous case. Current is therebycaused to flow in a certain direction through the resistance 19 giving adifference of potential between the terminals of'such resistance, whichcauses a current lmpulse of. a positive polarity to flow through thecondenser 20 to the cable 18. a

The movement of the key 21'tothe left connects the negative termlnal ofthe battery to the condenser 12, which is thereupon charged negatively,The charge of 11b- The transmission of a positive' impulscjs' effectedby moving the key 21 to engage its the condenser in this manner and therelease is transmitted to the line 18 due to the dif-' ference ofpotential existing between the terminals of the resistance 19.

Referring now to Fig. 3, there is shown a symmetrical c1rcu1tarrangement comprising two electric discharge devices or vacuum tubes ofthe audion type, such as 23 and 24. These devices, as in the othercases, are provided with the usual electrodes designated by the numerals8, 9, and 11. The grid e co trodes 11 of these tubes are connected Iwith the battery 25'through the high resistance units 26 and 27respectively. The cable 18 is connected through a sending condenser 20to theoutput circuit of the tubes 23 and 24. In order that the cable 18,when no sistance units is the; same, and equal currents flow from thebattery 36 through the i resistances 34 and 35, the potential of theill.

cable. isthereby maintained at the same potential as that ofground. Whenthere are no signals being transmitted, the line is grounded through theresistances 34 and i so that any accumulated charge on the cable canbedrained o'fi' to ground. The

.- shown developed.

ments of thisrsegmented ring are connected togetherand the entire groupconnecled to" rans-' inputcircuit-ofthe devices 23 and 24 is connectedwith the even-numbered segments of a segmented ring of arotarydistributor '28, which, for the sake of clearnes's, has been Allodd-numbered segthe line terminal of a suitable ta mitter, such asthe-well-known eatstone type adapted for cable operation. Inas-. much astransmitters of the t pe are well known to those skilled in t e art, and

' especially since it does not form a part of the present invention, adescription thereof is considered unnecessary. The solid rin 29 of thedistributor 28 is connected with the condenser 12,'which in turn isadapted 'to be successively connected with the contacts controlled bythe tape transmitter and the input circuit of thesvacuum tubes 23 and24, due to the passage of brush 30,0176! the various segments.

passed from one of these segments.

The tape transmitter is adjusted with respect to the distributor,whereby the contacts controlled thereby for connecting the ments andopens just after the brush has If in the transmission of a message thenegative terminal of the battery 32 is connected with the odd-numberedsegments of the distribu tor, due to the passage of a hole in aperforated tape of the tape transmitter (not shown), which causes theclosure of con tact 31, condenser 12 will be charged in accordancetherewith upon the passage of brush 30 over the odd-numbered segment ofthe distributor ring. The circuit including the condenser 12 may betraced from the negative terminal of .the battery 32, contact 31, anodd-numbered segment of the segmented ring of the distributor brush 30,condenser, 12, and contact 33 to the other terminal of the battery 32.When the brush 30 passes over an even-numbered segment, the condenser 12is thereupon connected in circuit with the input of the vacuum tubes 23and 24. The grid electrode 11 of the vacuum tube 23 is thus made morenegative and the grid electrode 11 of tube 24 is made more positive withrespect to their respective heated filaments. This thereby causes adecrease in the current flowing through resistances 34 and an increasethrough resistance 35 and in a direction indicated by the solid arrows.A difference of potential thusexists between the terminals ofresistances 34 and 35, which makes the cable terminal negative with respect to ground and causes a current impulse of a negative polarity toflow to the line 18 through the sending condenser 20. This difference ofpotential will be maintained between the terminals. of the resistances34 and '35 during the passage of the brush over the even numberedsegments even though contact 31 has been opened. How ever, when-contact37 is closed, the condenser 12 will be short-circuited upon the passageof thebrush 30 over an odd-numbered segment, thus causing it to beinstantly discharged.

In the transmission of a. positive nnpulso.

over the cable 18 contact 38 is thereby closed due to the operation ofthe tape transmitas. This connects the positive terminal of the battery32 withthe condenser 12, and

. of tube 23 is made more positive with rethe resistances "35 and 34 inthe direction-pf the dotted arrows, in which case the potheseresistances is increased and, the-terminal of the cable 18 is madepositive with send symmetrical positive and-negative im;

pulses at a high rate of speedover a cable' or line, due primarilyto thef act tha't the useof relaycontacts has been entirely avoided.

' What is claimed iszf p 1. A holding relay comprising a space discharge device having a cathode, an "anode,

impedance control means, andan output circuit, a source of space currentin said output 1 c1rcu1t, c1rcu1t making and breaking means forintermittently impressing potential impulses on said cathode and,lmpedance con trol means, and means including a condenser, associatedwith said cathode and impedance control means for prolonging in saidoutput circuit the efiect of each of said impressed potential impulses.Y

2. A holding relay comprisin a space discharge device having a catho e,an anode,

impedance control means, and an output cir-' cuit, a source ofspacecurrent in said output circuit, circuit malnng and breaking means forintermittently impresslng potential impulses on said cathode andimpedance control means, means including energy storirig means,'bridgedacross saidcathode and impedance control means. forprolonging in saidoutput circuit the effect of each of said impressed potential impulses.

3. Terminal signaling apparatus for a cable-or line having largedistributed elec trostatic capacity, said apparatus com rising means forimpressing upon said cab e or line at any instant otential of one onlyof at least two operating values whereby signaling impulses of eitherpolarity and in any desired sequence may be transmitted, said meanscomprising the combination with a source of direct signaling potential,of high impedance space discharge means in circuit witli said source,control means for said space discharge means, and means including asecond source of positive and negative potential, electric storage meansand circuit making and breaking means for impressing upon said controlmeans poten-- tial of any desired one of at least two operating values.

4. Terminal signaling apparatus for a cable or line having largedistributed electrostatic capacity, said apparatus comprising means forimpressing upon said cable or line at any instant potential of one of.at

. peda least two operating values whereby signal :"s'our'ceof directslgnaling. potential, of high tentlal difference between thetermina'ls.of

i-nipedalice spacedischarge .means in circuit with. said source, controlmeans for said space discharge means, and means including a condenserand circuit making and breakbetween said circuit making and means andimpartingstored energy to said control meansduring a portion at least ofintervals when. sald c1rcu1t making and breaking niean'sis' in opencircuit position.

5, In a high speed submarine cable system, the combination with a cable,of means for transmittingsignals at suchhigh speed thatfthe chatterproduced by the tongue of the pole changing relay ordinarily employedfor. cable transmission would introduce a highirequencydisturbance of aprohibitive value, comprising a space discharge relay at the transmitterin place of said ordinary pole changing relay, said space dischargerelay'comprisin'g an anode, a cathode and acontrol element, a source ofsignaling potential controlled by said space discharge relay, means forassociating said source-with said cable having negligible reactance atsignaling frequencies, a signaling key associated with said controlelement, and means including a condenser for prolonging after theopening of'said key the effect produced by the closure of said key.

6. The combination with a cable or line havin large distributedelectrostatic capacit'ygi'. source of signaling direct potentialgf s edischarge means in circuit with said roe; means for controlling the imof said space discharge means, means for mpressing either positive ornegative s gnaling impulses upon said control meanscomprising a sourceof energy, a sig naling'key, a condenser adapted to beconnectedeliectively in circuit with either said source of energythrough said key or with said control means, and a distributor foreffecting said connections alternately.

7-. The combination with an electric discharge device having an anode',a cathode and controlmeans, of an output circuit for said dischargedevice-including a source of potential, acondenser, means for impressinga signaling current impulse upon said condenser, and means forsubsequently connecting said condenser in circuit with said controlmeans to "cause a current variation in said output circuit correspondingto the said signaling current impulse impressed upon said condenser. 7-I The comb'nation with an electrlcal dischar e device having an] anode,a cathode an control means, of an output circuit for said dischargedevice including a source of potential, a condenser, a distributorhaving conductive segments for pressing signaling current impulses uponsaid condenser, and for connecting said condenser in circuit with saidcontrol means to cause current variations in said output cir cuitcorresponding to the said signaling current impulses impressed upon saidcondenser.

9. The combination with an electrical discharge device having an anode,a cathode, and control means, of an output circuit for said dischargedevice including a source of potential, a condenser, means forimpressing a signaling current impulse on said condenser, means forsubsequently disconnecting said condenser from said signal impressingmeans, and means for later connecting said condenser in, circuit withsaid control means to cause a current variation in said output circuitcorresponding to the said si naling current impulse impressed on saidcondenser.

10. The combination with an electrical discharge device having an anode,a cathode, and a control means, of an output cir-- cuit for saiddischarge device including a source of potential, a condenser, meansincluding a distributor having conductive seg ments for impressingsignaling current impulses upon said condenser, subsequentlydisconnecting said condenser from said signal impressing means and laterconnecting said condenser in c1rcu1t with said control means to cause acurrent variation m said out ut circuit corresponding to each of the saisignaling current impulses impressed on said condenser.

11. The combination with an electrical dischar device having an anode, acathode an control means, of an output circuit for said discharge deviceincluding a source of potential, a condenser, means for 1mpressingsignal current impulses upon sa d condenser, subsequently disconnectingsaid condenser from said signal lmpressing means and later connectingsaid condenser in circuit with said control means to cause a currentvariation in said output c1rcu1t corresponding to each of said signalcurrent impulses impressed on' said condenser, said s1 al impressingmeans including a distributor having a continuous ring, two sets ofconductive segments, and a brush for electrically connecting saidconducting ring with said'segments in succession, connections to thesegments of one set alternating with the connections to the segments ofthe other set.

12. The combination with a cable or line for transmitting direct currentsignals, of a source of signaling potential, two highimpedance spacedischarge means in opposed relation in circuit with said source, controlmeans for each of. said space dis charge means, and means includingelectric and a transmitting key for simultaneously impressing positivesignaling potential upon one of said control means and negative upon theother, said distributor being effective to connect said condenser incircuit alternately with said second source of potential and saidcontrol means of said dis charge devices.

1-1. The combination'with a cable or line for transmitting directcurrent signals, of a source of signaling potential, two substantiallyequal impedances in series relation in said line and in parallelrelation with respect to said source whereby no potential is impressedupon said line or cable from said source when the current through saidimpedances are equal, a pair of electric discharge devices in circuitwith said source and in series with said impedances respectively,control means for each of said discharge devices, means forsimultaneously impressing positive potential upon one of said controlmeans and negative potential upon the other of said control meansvcomprising a second source of potential, a key, and means for storingenergy from said last mentioned source and later applying itto saidcontrol means.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 16th da of June A.D. 1920.

ALLI ON A. o oKisY.

